Alan Fosters an amazing challenge ~ Job Done ~
On the 15th October 2012, Alan Foster completed his amazing challenge of visiting every Mark Lodge in
West Lancashire. But it was different!
 
Semper Fidelis No 880 at St. Annes was the venue, and last Monday Alan arrived all set to witness an
Advancement Ceremony, he was even tasked by the PGM to had a chat with the newly advanced brother
with a view to producing a report for the website. (as if we would miss a report on visit 60) mb.
 
However, you know what it's like, the best plans of mice and man, etc..
 
Just as Alan was arriving at 5.45pm workers further down the road severed a power cable and left the
Masonic Hall and some other buildings without electricity.
 
The Hall Steward (a member of Semper Fidelis) found that electricity would not be connected until at least
midnight, so for health and safety reasons the Lodge could not continue with the planned Advancement. 
 
Alan wasn't even able to console the candidate who had already been sent home.
 
By the light of as many candles as could be hastily assembled the Lodge was opened for a short time, a
little business was conducted and then the Lodge was closed before it became too dark to safely exit the
building.
 
As a surprise memento of his 60th Lodge visit in the province, worshipful Master Mike Casey presented Alan
with a Semper Fidelis Mark Lodge Token. Fortunately he had already planned to present Mike with a Lathom
Mark Lodge Token at the festive board, so instead it was done within the short Lodge proceedings.
 

(I have left the original article below this updated page. I'm sure we all applaud Alan on completing his

mission, even if it did have a somewhat unfortunate conclusion.)
 
Mike Beesley, webmaster
First Article
At the beginning of the 2011-12 season, Alan Foster IPM of Lathom Mark Lodge No 268 was prompted both by visits between Southport Mark lodges and by the PGM’s request in May of the previous season, to visit the smaller Mark lodges in the Province of West Lancashire.
 
The idea was to support the smaller lodges and keep them afloat but as he started to visit many of these lodges an even bigger ambition grew in his head; the idea to visit every one of the sixty Mark lodges within the West Lancashire province.
 


When Alan tentatively mentioned this to his wife, Helen, he was amazed to receive her full support. She has even accompanied Alan on his trips to Barrow and Ulverston areas where they managed to combine mini breaks with lodge meetings.

His trek started in September 2011 with a visit to Temperance Mark Lodge in Liverpool and he reached his half-way point with his thirtieth visit to Tuscan Mark Lodge, also in Liverpool, in December of that year.
By the end of this season Alan visited his fifty fourth Mark lodge which was Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge No 1173. He already has dates earmarked for the remaining six visits for the next season with three in September and three in October; the final visit being to Semper Fidelis Mark Lodge No880 on Monday 15th October.

Alan has covered 2780 miles to date and will have traveled approximately 3160 miles by the end of the challenge. He says, “I have been spoilt by the hospitable reception at these lodges and can certainly agree with the description of Mark Masonry being the 'Friendly Degree'.  I just wish that I could convert my experiences into a suitable message that might persuade other masons to consider participating in the fun that is Mark Masonry.

Pictured W.Bro. Alan Foster
 
During my visits I have met a lot of nice people and many lodge members went out of their way to make me feel especially welcome. My only sadness is that certain individuals would make very good personal friends but live too far away for regular contact.”
 
Article courtesy of Paul Hardman